Industrial Hemp Legislation Passes U.S. House of Representatives

A new bi-partisan amendment to the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today in support of industrial hemp by a vote of 225 to 200. Introduced by Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO), Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), it allows colleges and universities to grow and cultivate industrial hemp in states where it is already legal, without fear of federal interference.

According to a statement from the office of Rep. Polis, 19 states have passed pro-industrial hemp legislation. The following nine states have removed barriers to its production: Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia.

Rep. Polis said in a statement:

Industrial hemp is an important agricultural commodity, not a drug. My bipartisan, common-sense amendment, which I’ve introduced with Representatives Thomas Massie and Earl Blumenauer, would allow colleges and universities to grow and cultivate industrial hemp for academic and agricultural research purposes in states where industrial hemp growth and cultivation is already legal. Many states, including Colorado, have demonstrated that they are fully capable of regulating industrial hemp.

George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew hemp. The first American flag was made of hemp. And today, U.S. retailers sell over $300 million worth of goods containing hemp—but all of that hemp is imported, since farmers can’t grow it here,” explained Rep. Polis. “The federal government should clarify that states should have the ability to regulate academic and agriculture research of industrial hemp without fear of federal interference. Hemp is not marijuana, and at the very least, we should allow our universities—the greatest in the world—to research the potential benefits and downsides of this important agricultural commodity.

Rep. Massie said in a statement:

Industrial hemp is used for hundreds of products including paper, clothing, rope and can be converted into renewable bio-fuels more efficiently than corn or switch grass. It’s our goal that the research this amendment enables would further broadcast the economic benefits of the sustainable and job-creating crop. I look forward to working with Rep. Polis and Rep. Blumenauer on this issue.

Rep. Blumenauer said in a statement:

Because of outdated federal drug laws, our farmers can’t grow industrial hemp and take advantage of a more than $300 million dollar market. We rely solely on imports to sustain consumer demand. It makes no sense. Our fear of industrial hemp is misplaced—it is not a drug. By allowing colleges and universities to cultivate hemp for research, Congress sends a signal that we are ready to examine hemp in a different and more appropriate context.

Hemp is listed as a Schedule 1 Narcotic because it is classified as Cannabis sativa, which is the same species as marijuana used for medicinal and recreational purposes. Hemp has been used all over the world throughout history, not only for industrial purposes and personal care products, but also as a source of highly nutritious food.

Currently, hemp cannot be grown by farmers in the U.S. “Federal law has denied American farmers the opportunity to cultivate industrial hemp and reap the economic rewards from this versatile crop for far too long,” commented Grant Smith, policy manager with the Drug Policy Alliance. “Congress should lift the prohibition on the domestic cultivation of industrial hemp as soon as possible. Allowing academic research is an important first step towards returning industrial hemp cultivation to American farms.”

“Vote Hemp applauds the passing of this bi-partisan amendment. This brilliant initiative allows colleges and universities the opportunity to grow and cultivate hemp for academic and agricultural research purposes,” said Eric Steenstra, president of Vote Hemp. “It only applies to states where industrial hemp growth and cultivation is already legal in order for those states to showcase just how much industrial hemp can benefit the environment and economy in those regions.”

Comments

David Mcfatridge

We have finally come full circle.
US government propaganda film made during WWII touting the virtues of hemp. The film was aimed at farmers at a time when the military was facing a shortage of hemp, it shows how hemp is grown and processed into rope and other products.http://archive.org/details/Hemp_for_victory_1942

http://www.ecostarhealth.com Jean-Pierre Ruiz

The regulation of hemp (requiring a permit from the DEA) was in direct violation of Executive Order 10480 of August 14, 1953 which defines “hemp” as “food.”

“The term ”food” shall mean [and] shall also include all starches, sugars,
vegetable and animal fats and oils, cotton, tobacco, wool, mohair, hemp, flax
fiber, and naval stores, but shall not include any such material after it loses its
identity as an agricultural commodity or agricultural product.

Part IV. General Provisions, Section 101, paragraph (h).

Executive 10480 has been amended over the years, but Section 901(e) of the more recent Executive Order 12919, National Industrial Resources Preparedness, dated June 3, 1994, defines “food resources” and includes “hemp” among other crops.

In a letter dated June 19, 1995, Dan Glickman, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, emphasizes hemp as a food resource. Lynn Goosens, FDA’s Office of Consumer Education, in a letter dated in 1999, states: “Hempseed oil is an eatable oil[.]”

Full disclosure: I am the founder of EcoStar Health, Inc., an online retailer of premium hemp seed foods, as well as deluxe body care products formulated by Tracy Darling, MD, and a line of human-grade, organic, pet foods and supplements formulated by George Broderick, DVM.

Kevin Schmidt

Hemp is full of nutrition and has more protein than meat.

Rasmichael

If we have a Farm bill this year….. passage of that is still in doubt. What I’d like to know who were the 200 Congressmen/women who voted against this proposal. Free the Weed!

SundownLF

Now let’s just see what the Senate does with this incredibly useful/helpful bill!

Brenda Lee

THANKS FOR THE GOOD NEWS! Glad to see some progress is happening on this front.

William Anton Walters

Minor correction – Jared Polis is from Colorado, not Oregon.

http://www.wimberlyflutes.ca/‎ David Wimberly

BUILDING WITH HEMP:
a Hemp-Lime Masonry Workshop
with Steve Allin, author of Building With Hemp
July 22-25, 2013, Dorje Denma Ling, Tatamagouche, NS

Hempcrete is an amazingly beneficial material poised to have profound effect on how we build. Learn the fundamentals directly from one of the world’s leading experts. Become an early adopter and leader in a field set to rapidly expand in multiple directions.

Hemp-lime masonry, or “hempcrete,” is a cutting-edge natural building material. It is attractive, has great thermal and acoustic insulation properties, is carbon-negative, with no toxic elements, while being affordable and extraordinarily simple to build with. This can be used to build walls or as an in-fill for roofs, floors or as a plaster. It uses industrial hemp, a crop already widely grown in Canada and renowned as a fiber, food crop and biomass.

Participants will learn both the theory and practice of using hemp-lime masonry in green buildings. This workshop is appropriate for individuals interested in green building as well as professionals looking to broaden their expertise. In addition to direct instruction and technical information, we will get invaluable hands-on experience by actually using the material in building with hempcrete.

Steve Allin, a pioneer of the use of hemp in building, is the author of Building with Hemp 2005/2012. He lives in the South West of Ireland, from where he works internationally as a hemp building consultant and teacher.
——-
$360 — includes all meals.
Workshop size limited. Register early please.
On site housing available. Free tenting.

A residential program centre nestled in the hills of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, Dorje Denma Ling is committed to fostering applied mindfulness, environmental engagement, and social transformation. This is a beautiful location offering enriching opportunity for profound learning.

Hempcrete is an amazingly beneficial material poised to have profound effect on how we build. Please come to learn the fundamentals directly from one of the world’s leading experts. Become an early adopter and leader in a field set to rapidly expand in multiple directions.

Hemp-lime masonry, or “hempcrete,” is a cutting-edge natural building material. It is attractive, has great thermal and acoustic insulation properties, is carbon-negative, with no toxic elements, while being affordable and extraordinarily simple to build with. This can be used to build walls or as an in-fill for roofs, floors or as a plaster. It uses industrial hemp, a crop already widely grown in Canada and renowned as a fiber, food crop and biomass.

Participants will learn both the theory and practice of using hemp-lime masonry in green buildings. This workshop is appropriate for individuals interested in green building as well as professionals looking to broaden their expertise. In addition to direct instruction and technical information, we will get invaluable hands-on experience by actually using the material in building with hempcrete.

Steve Allin, a pioneer of the use of hemp in building, is the author of Building with Hemp 2005/2012. He lives in the South West of Ireland, from where he works internationally as a hemp building consultant and teacher.
——-
$360 — includes all meals.
Workshop size limited. Register early please.
On site housing available. Free tenting.

A residential program centre nestled in the hills of Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, Dorje Denma Ling is committed to fostering applied mindfulness, environmental engagement, and social transformation. This is a beautiful location offering enriching opportunity for profound learning.

Am I being dim? The article speaks of US farmers not being allowed to grow hemp, but mentions that it is legal to grow it in several states. HUH ??

Anyway, hurrah for this first step which I sincerely trust will be rapidly followed by others until hemp is back to its full use.

Mike TheVet

Hemp is a Schedule 1 drug…*shakes head*….so sad we were deceived for 70+ years.

gmcelroy

There are about 200 varieties of”hemp”, very few have THC. Hemp is a good agricultural crop as it need less water than cotton, has less deleterious insects attacking it and therefore less pesticides. The plant can be used for clothe, rope, and the seeds can be eaten. Look at the vested interests from years ago, that will tell you why hemp has been given the bad name. Dupont introduced manmade fibre for ropes there that’s a start! Bring back hemp as an agricultural crop. We also need to change legislation in Australia. As for its medicinal uses, I’m not really up on that so won’t comment.